Registered Republicans lead registered Democrats by about 155,000 ballots in Florida’s early and mail voting heading into Tuesday’s election, according to the latest statewide report from the Florida Division of Elections. That is a lead of about 3 percentage points of the more than 5.1 million ballots cast so far.
Republicans have cast 2,098,673 ballots and Democrats 1,943,328, according to the state’s report compiled Sunday morning, which covers activity through Saturday. Voters with no party affiliation or a minor party have cast 1,117,536.
Mail ballots and early voting
Democrats lead in returned mail ballots, while Republicans lead in early in-person voting.
| Ballot type | Republicans | Democrats |
|---|---|---|
| Mail ballots returned | 668,424 | 815,396 |
| Early in-person votes | 1,430,249 | 1,127,932 |
| Total | 2,098,673 | 1,943,328 |
Democratic early vote is up from 2022
Democrats have already cast more ballots before Election Day than they did before Election Day in 2022, when 1,870,486 registered Democrats voted by mail or early in person, according to the Division of Elections’ final 2022 report. Republicans cast 2,168,758 such ballots in 2022, for a lead of about 298,000.
Republicans look to Election Day
Republicans in recent cycles have outvoted Democrats on Election Day in Florida, and that is what the GOP is counting on, the Florida Phoenix reported via WLRN. In the August primary, Republican Election Day turnout was double that of Democrats, 60% to 30%, the outlet reported.
“Democrats have already cashed their chips,” Republican strategist Anthony Pedicini told the Phoenix. “Their most reliable voters have voted. Ours haven’t yet, because Republican super-voters show up on Election Day.”
Democrats point to their higher turnout. “Republicans are clearly counting on Election Day to save them, but if I were them I’d be concerned about the combination of increased Democratic turnout and NPAs appearing to break heavily our way,” Democratic strategist Chris Mitchell told the outlet. “The enthusiasm is clearly on our side, but this is far from over.”
Early voting ended Saturday in many counties, while some extended it through Sunday, according to the Phoenix.
Party registration totals show who has cast a ballot, not how anyone voted. Under state law, the Division of Elections compiles these figures from daily county reports.
